Sustainable design begins at the inception of a project. Choosing a suitable site and optimising it by making use of its natural potential can reduce resource consumption. Utilising the building’s urban planning space can optimise land consumption. For example, making the most of vertical space by building underground carparks reduces the clearing of surrounding land. Effective site planning also factors in passive strategies, such as considering sun orientation and placing windows to gain maximum natural light and warmth, reducing the need for additional lighting and heating. Or utilising trees to provide shade in communal areas. Making use of a site’s natural potential ensures it maintains the protection of natural ecosystems and environmental biodiversity.

Reducing your building’s carbon footprint means minimising non-renewable energy sources – particularly those that will be used to power, heat and cool the building throughout its life. This can be done effectively by incorporating infrastructure that generates energy from renewable resources, such as the sun, wind, geothermal energy, small or river-turbine hydropower and other hydrokinetic energy such as waves and tides. Passive choices such as façade materials can also improve a building’s thermal and energy efficiency – such as a ventilated sub-construction system, which promotes airflow and allows the building envelope to breathe.

The building industry is seeing a shift towards the use of natural materials, which are fully recyclable and can be repurposed at the end of their lifecycle to reduce landfill waste and expenses. The industry is shifting to make specification of natural materials a requirement, highlighting the importance of seeking choices that come from the earth and do not contribute to polluting it. Materials such as clay, fibre cement and brick are becoming popular alternatives to metal or composites.

Conserving water use in a building can be achieved through consumption reduction planning, including high-efficiency plumbing, utilities and repurposing grey water through reticulation. Other strategies that are highly effective include implementing stormwater management strategies, as well as planting trees, plants and grasses that are native to the area and can greatly reduce irrigation needs.

As biophilic design becomes a mainstay of today’s architecture, it is essential to consider not only the impact of the building on the surrounding environment but the environment a building creates for its residents. Enhancing the residents’ indoor quality by allowing them to experience a more natural environment will not only prolong their stay, reducing relocation operations but will help improve their connection with nature and mental well-being.

Optimising operational practices is an effective way of reducing resource consumption. For example, ensuring no air leaks, using sensors or timers to ensure the building is not operating when vacant and using energy-efficient equipment all contribute to sustainable operational practices. Choosing low-maintenance building materials also reduces maintenance activities involving resource consumption, such as repainting, and slowing, reducing or eliminating the release of VOCs from cleaning and refinishing products such as chemicals and oils.

An essential part of sustainable design is using resilient building materials – materials that will not only reduce their impact on the environment, but that can withstand environmental challenges. Resilient building materials are characterised by the ability to anticipate, prepare for and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, respond to and recover rapidly from disruptions such as natural disasters. Façade systems that are weatherproof, non-combustible and do not rely on a single energy source contribute to the building’s overall resilience to its surroundings and any environmental challenges that may arise, reducing liability exposure.